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GCSE Computer Science > Memory And Storage (part 1) > Flashcards

Memory And Storage (part 1) Flashcards

1
Q

What are the different components of the CPU?

A
  • Arithmetic logic unit
  • Control unit
  • Cache
  • Registers
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2
Q

What does volatile mean?

A

When the power is turned off all data is lost

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3
Q

Give four examples of primary storage

A
  • RAM
  • ROM
  • Registers
  • Cache
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4
Q

What is secondary storage?

A

Long term, non volatile storage for data and files

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5
Q

What is tertiary storage?

A

Storage for backing up and archiving large amounts of data

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6
Q

Name 3 features of primary storage

A
  • Volatile (except ROM)
  • Usually has small storage capacity
  • Fast access speeds
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7
Q

Name 3 features of secondary storage

A
  • Non-volatile
  • Usually much larger storage than primary
  • Slow access speeds
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8
Q

What does RAM stand for?

A

Random Access Memory

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9
Q

What is the purpose of RAM?

A
  • Temporary storage for instructions and data for programs being executed by the processor (transferred from the HDD)
  • For reading and writing data
  • That holds the OS when the computer is running
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10
Q

Why are instructions transferred from the hard disk to RAM?

A

Too slow to execute instructions from hard disk

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11
Q

Is RAM volatile?

A

Yes

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12
Q

What types of storage is RAM?

A

Primary Storage

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13
Q

What does ROM stand for?

A

Read Only Memory

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14
Q

What is the bootstrap?

A

Startup instructions to load the OS

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15
Q

Why are instructions transferred from ROM to RAM?

A

Too slow to execute instructions from ROM

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16
Q

What does BIOS stand for?

A

Basic Input Output Settings

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17
Q

What is firmware?

A

Software installed on the ROM

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18
Q

What is ROM?

A

Small piece of read only memory that can only be written to once, holds the bootstrap

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19
Q

What type of storage is ROM?

A

Primary Storage

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20
Q

Is ROM volatile?

A

No

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21
Q

What is virtual memory?

A

Part of the hard disk reserved for memory as if it was RAM

22
Q

When is virtual memory needed?

A

When RAM is full

23
Q

Name 2 disadvantages of using virtual memory

A
  • Slower performance
  • Causes disk thrashing
24
Q

What causes disk thrashing?

A

Swapping too many things between RAM and virtual memory

25
What needs to happen to data when a computer is turned off?
Needs to be transferred to secondary storage
26
Why is virtual memory slow?
When an instruction is fetched, it will be checked for in the cache, then RAM, then virtual memory. The program or data is then swapped into RAM then fetched and brought back to the CPU
27
Can you save files into ROM? Why?
No, since it is read only
28
Can you save files into RAM? Why?
No, since it is volatile
29
Why is secondary storage needed?
It is read/write and non-volatile and therefore can be used to save files
30
What are the different types of secondary storage?
- Magnetic - Solid state - Optical
31
How can you store data with magnetic storage?
Using magnetism
32
How can you store data with solid state storage?
Using semiconductor chips
33
How can you store data with optical storage?
Physically burning the surface of the disc, creating pits and lands
34
What does HDD stand for?
Hard Disk Drive
35
Which type of secondary storage is the largest per GB?
Magnetic
36
How much data can a compact disc store?
700MB
37
What does CD stand for?
Compact Disc
38
What does SSD stand for?
Solid State Drive
39
What is a drive?
A device that reads and writes data from the secondary storage
40
What is storage media?
What data is stored on
41
Name some examples of optical storage
- Compact disc (CD-R + CD-RW) - DVD (DVD-R + DVD-RW) - Blu-ray
42
Why can DVDs hold more data than CDs?
The pits and lands are smaller and closer together
43
What are the advantages of optical storage?
- Cheap - Lightweight - Portable
44
What are the negatives of optical storage?
- Slow to access data as data is read in a spiral - Can be read only due to it being burnt - Low storage capacity
45
Name some examples of magnetic storage
- HDD - DAT Tape
46
What are the advantages of magnetic storage?
- Cheap - Large storage capacity
47
What are the disadvantages of magnetic storage?
- Very slow - Fragile - Has moving parts which will eventually fail
48
Name some examples of solid state storage
- SSD - Memory stick - Flash drive
49
What are the advantages of solid state storage?
- Quick to access data - No noise - Low power - Reliable
50
What are the disadvantages of solid state storage?
- Limited number of read/write cycles - Expensive
51
What is flash memory?
A type of solid state memory with no moving parts. It uses electronics instead of mechanics

GCSE Computer Science (12 decks)

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